Switch mechanism



Sept. 25 1923.

V. R. DESPARD SWITCH MEoHANIsu Filed March 6", 191'?A Patented SeptQZKS, k17923; i

UNITED I`s1uaf-1fas 'vieron It. DESPARD, OI' HINSIJALE, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoaf-BY'IvrEsNEAssIGNMENTs, 'ro 4 kiifICcrILI. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or VALPARAISO, INDIANA,A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.,k v

n swIrOH MECHANISM.

' f Appnation :nea March e, 1917,: Ysei-'iai No.v 152,627.

f To all 'whom' t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VICTOR R. DESPARD, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Hinsdale, in the county of Du Page and 6 State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in VSwitch Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXact description,` reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention f relates to switch mechanisms, and has Jfor its Objectthe provision of an improved mechanism of this type applicable particularly for controlling electricfcircuits in such a manner that bothv a quick make and quick break can be had due to the manipulations of the device.v The -device thus includes what I might call a switch element adapted to be operated so as to switch `element is ldesirably actuated*- by means such as those orinstance disclosed in myapplication Serial No. 140,248, filed Jan. 2, 1917.

I will describe one form which my invention may take more in detail by referring Ito the accompanying drawing, which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a switch movement constructed in accordancewith my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectionalview thereof on line 2 2 OfFig. 1,

Fig.3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig.,4 is a fragmentary view similar to that or" Fig. 1 with the parts shown in their alternative position.

I have shown myk device as being applied to alamp socket 10 having the switch contacts 11and 12 between which the circuit is to be closed through the agency of a switch element 13,. f This switch element 13 is preferably U-shaped and is pivoted upon the arms 14 forming part of the framework 15. This framework alsohas an upwardly extending standard 16. pivoted with the bearing 17, which bearing; accommodates the tension member 18 and keepsthis tension member 18 in alignment. This tension member is actuated by the ngcr piece 19 similarly in manner ,tothat` disclosed in my aforesaid co-pending application.y The tension member 18 when moved to the left by successive movements causes the switch element 13 alternately to make and break the secure a quick makev and break, and this e' VV'circuit between; theelementsill and 127by i i' snap action.

order to cause this movementby'the Y i tension member 18 thefiinger `piece 19 may be pivoted about its "lower annularface 20 in any direction, or the` finger piece19 mayl bebodily drawn toward the left. l l

In one form of the invention a Vflexible tension member 21a such as a chain maybe inserted in the spring catclrplaced injthe open mouth of this fingerv piece 19 and any pull. on the chain in `any direction will'cause movement of thetension member'v 18 to 'ther two Yarms 22 and 23' Vand af bracket 24 extending outwardly -from' the arm, 23., lThe arms 22 and-23 are on opposite sides ofthe 'standc ard 25 so that by means of the spindle or rivet 26a said control element 21 is vpivotally fmounted' on the said standard. The arm 22carries a link 26 which link isfpivoted at 27a, this link preferably .beingencir'cled f by a spring 28. The link 26 projects through anaperture in the end face of the U-shaped switch element 13and the spring '28,being a compression spring tends to sep'- arate the free extremities of Vboth the 22 and the switch element 13.

In the operation of the device the ycontrol element 21 isrotated clockwise, 'for` instance, from the position it occupies in Fig. 1 until the said arm 22 of said control element. the link 26 and the switch element 13 arein alignment, whereupon a slight further movement in the same direction,A will cause a snap action movement of thesey elements 21 and13 due to the'y action .off the A-spring 28 into` the alternative position shown in Fig. 4. Of course, the link 26 passes loosely through the aperture 'in the outermostleg of .this switchelement 213 thus to keep the parts, in theiry proper position. The circuit is thusbroken.. by the movement mentioned; y f I Now, `in order to re-establish'uthe `circuit by snap action the control element 21` must 'be moved contra-clockwise until the ele- 18, l:V providea somewhat loosely carried pawl device 29. This pawl device is4 drawn to the left by the tension element 18, this tensionelement having an enlargement 30a, so that the pawl element 29 may have a more or less universal connection with said tension element 18. 'This pawl ,device has two fingers, respectively the fingers 30 and 31. These fingers co-operate respectively with the arms 32 and 33 of the control element 21. The arms 32 are bent inwardly as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, and thus prevent twisting of the pawl element 29, but permit an entirely loose travel of this pawl element 29 longitudinally of said control element 21. The pawl element 29 furthermore is held by means of a spring 34 in its right hand position, this spring being preferably fastened to the end section of the U-shaped switch element 13. This spring 34 is considerably weaker, of course, than the spring 28, so that it does not seriously oppose the controlling functions o'f this spring 28.

The spring 34 is merely strong enough to retract the elements 29, 18 and 19 into their normal position, and at the same time to hold either of the fingersr3'0 or 31 in the proper position for the next actuation against the corresponding arm of the control element 21.

It will be noted, for instance, that when the switch .element 13 'is in the position of Fig. 1, the spring 34 has a tendency to pull the right hand extremity of the pawl element downwardly so that the finger 31 must necessarily co-operate directly with the arm 33. When the switch element 13 is in the alternative position against its stop 35 then spring Y34 tends to draw this pawl element 29 upwardly so that the finger 30 is drawn against the arm 32. Of course, this pawl element 29 does not necessarily have to be maintained in alignment as in one Vposition its righthand extremity might be slightly tilted upwardly and when the switch device is in its alternative position this right hand extremity might be slightly tilted downwardly.

Assuming that the pawl element 29 were drawn toward the lett from the position shown in Fig. 4, but thereafter the snap action had moved the elements 21 and 13 into their alternative position, thearm 33 would impinge against the enlarged portion 36 of the pawl element 29, but the retractile effect of the spring 34 would then withdraw the element 29 to the right, sothat the linger 31 linally snaps around the arm 33 into the position shown in Fig. 1.

The tension member 18 has between the head 40 and its right hand portion a small iiexible wire portion 41 to permit bending 1n any direction when the linger piece 19 is tilted.

From what has been described the nature of my invention will be readily clear to those skilled in the art Y Having however thus explained my invention, what I claim as new and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a switch element, reciprocating operating means for said switch element, and control means interposed between said reciprocatory means and said switch element whereby successive reciprocat-ions of saidreciprocatory means eect alternative make and break actuations of said switch element by snap action, said control means including a pawldevice, and means comprising a yieldable element movable by said pawl device into position to move said switch element into circuit making or breaking position, said pawl device, upon movement of said switch element to either of said positions, assuming a position for moving said switch element to the other of said positions.

2. A device of the character described comprising a switch element, reciprocating operating means for said switch element, and control means interposed between said reciprocating means and said switch element whereby successive reciprocations of said reciprocating meanseffect alternative make and break actuations of said switch element by snap action, said control means including a spring having its free extremity associated with said switch element, a spring support movable in a direction opposite to the movements of said switch element carrying the opposite extremity of said spring, the movements of said spring support beyond dead center serving by snap action to move said switch element into its alternative positions, a loosely carried pawl device operable by said reciprocating means to move said spring support from one to the other ot its alternative positions, and yielding means interposed between said pawl and said switch element for controlling the position of said pawl. Y

. 3. A device of the character described comprising a switch element, reciprocating operating means for said switch element, and control means interposed between said reciprocating means and said switch element whereby successive reciprocatins of said remove said switch element into its alternative f.'

positions, a loosely carried pawl device operable by said reciprocating means, to move said spring support from one to the other of its alternative positions, means movable with the switclieleinent for moving vthe pawl into alternative positions to eiiect saidV movement of the spring support, and means tor retracting said pawl device.

i. A device of .the character describedV make and break actuations of saidswitch i element by snap action, said control means includinga spring having its free extremity associated with said switch element, a spring support movable in a direction opposite to the movements of said switch element carry-v vmove saidspring support from oneto the other of its alternative positions, said pawl device having a pair of fingers adapted alternatelyto engage said spring support.

5.`A device of the character described comprising a switch element, reciprocating operating means for said switch element, and

f control means interposed between said reciprocating means and said switch element whereby successive reciprocations of said reciprocating means effect alternative make and break actuations of said switch element by snap action, said control means including a spring having its free extremity associated with said switch element, a spring support movable in a direction opposite to the Vmovements of said switch element carrying the opposite extremity oi said spring, the movements of said spring support beyond dead center serving by snap action to move said switch element into its alternative positions, a looselycarried pawl device operable by said reciprocating means to move said ,spring support froinlone to the other yor its operatingl means for said switch element,k

and control means interposed between said reciprocating'. means and said switch element whereby .successive reciprocations of said reciprocating ineans'eifect alternative make and kbreak actuations of said switch element by snap action, said control means comprising a yieldable element movable intopoformoving saidyieldable elementinto either ofLsaid positions, comprising a pawl device loosely connecting said lastinentioned means with said operating means.

7.1A switch comprising a base, a switch iraine supported bythe base, a switch move--V sition to move said switch element into cir- Acuit .making orbrealnng position, and means ment supported by said A,traine having a movi able switch element,- and means to move said switch elementfrom one toits alternative position by snap-action, said means including an operating element, a spring directly connected to the operating element and to said switch element, anda lineally reciprocatory eratingfelement.

8. A switch comprising a frame supported by the base, aswitch movement supported lby said Jframe comprising a switch eleinent reciprocating operating means for said switch" element,and control means interposed between said reciprocating means and saidA switch element-whereby successive reciproca-tions of said'freciprocating means effect alternative makekand break actuations of Asaid switch elementby snap-action, said means including a pawl device, and a tensionmember connecting said, paw-l device and switch element whereby the position of said pawl device; is vdetermined by the position of said switcheleinent. f ,v

9. A switch comprising a base, a Iswitch frame supported by the base, a switch movenient supported by said frame comprising a switch element, reciprocating operating means forsaid switch element, and rcontrol means interposedbctween said reciprocating means and-said switch element; whereby successive reciprocations of said reciprocating means effect alternative make and break actuations ot said switch .element bysnap-action, said means including a pawl device for moving said switch element into a position determined by the position ofsaidl pawl devicerelative thereto, and a tension member connecting said pawl device and said switch element whereby said pawl device is moved, upon movement of said switch element into either of its positions, into a position Vdetermined by the position of said switch ele-` ment relative thereto.

10. A switch comprising a base, a switch' frame supported by the base, a switch movement supported by said trame including a switch element,` reciprocating operating .means for said switch element,and control means interposed between saidreciprocating means and said switch element where'- by' successive*reciprocations of said reciprocating means effect alternative inake'and break actuations of said switch element 'by snapI action, said control means including a spring having its free extremity associated with said switch element, ya spring support `f base, a switch control element pivotedtosaidop.-

iio

movable ina direction opposite to the movements of said switch element carrying the opposite extremity of said spring, the movements of said spring support beyond dead center serving by 'snap action to move said switch element into its alternative positions, and 'a loosely carried pawl device operable Vby said reciprocating means to move said ciprocating 'means eti'ect alternative make and break actuations of' said switch element by snap-action, said control means including a loosely carried pawl device, and a tension member connecting said pa'wl device and said switch,` element 'whereby therposition of said pawl device change in accordance 'with the position of the 'switch element, the direction ott 'movement of the switch element beingdependent 'upon the position of the p'awl device relative thereto. v

12. An electric switch comprising a frame a phinger element mounted to slide therein, a cont-roller meinberfcarried by said plunger element and having 'a limited pivotal movement thereon, said controller member being provided with horns, a spring reversing member having projections 'for engagement by said horns and adapted to be rotated by movement ot' the cont-roller member, a spring connected to said reversing member, and means Jfor transmitting movement of the spring to a movable switch member. Y

13A An elect-ric switch comprising a frame, a manually operated member mounted Vto be 'substantially lineally Areeiprocated relative thereto, a movable switch member, a control me'i'nber carried by said manually operated member and having a pivotal movement thereon, said control member having' f abutments thereon, a spring reversing member having abutments operatively engaged alternately by the corresponding abntments on the 'controlmember to effect oscillation of the reversing member from one operating position-to another upon successive operations of the control member, and a. spring interposed between said reversing member and said switch member to etl'ect snap action movement of said switch member fromr either alternative 'position to the Vother in accordance with the movements of said spring reversingl member. v Y

14; An electric switch comprising a ffr'ame,

a manually operated member mounted to be substantially lineally reciprocated relative thereto, ay movable switch member, a -control member associated with said manually operated member and having a 'pivotal vmovement thereon, said control member having abutments thereon, a spring reversing member having ab-utment's operatively engaged alternately b'y the corresponding abutments on the control member to eect oscillation of t-he .reversing member from one'op'erating position to another upon successive operations of the control member, and a spring interposed between said 'reversing member and said switch member to effectV snap action movement ot said switch member from either alternative position to the other in accordance with the movements 'ot said spring reversing member.

com arising an o Deratino' element havin0V Z) Y b h alternative operating posit-ions, and a lineally reciprocatory vcontrol yelement connected with said operating element, and a spring for moving said operating element to the alternative operating position after each actuation of said switch, said spring Yconnecting said operating element and said switch element.

16. In a device ot the character described, a movable switch member,'and means for moving said switch member, comprising a member having substantially an endwise reciprocating movement, said member .hav-

ing opposite lateral projections thereon, a

spring for moving said switch member with a snap action, and means `for tensioning said spring to move vsaid switch member into either open or closed position having a portion loosely engaging said member having the reciprocating movement and comprising abutments engaged alternately by said projcctions -or tensioning said spring to alternately move said switch member in oppo= site directions.

s 17. In a device of the character described, a movable switch member, means for moing said switch member, comprising a member having substantially an' endwise reciprocating movement, said member having op` positelateral projections thereon, a spring for moving said switch member with a snap action, and means for tensioning said spring to move said switch member into either open or closed position having a portion loosely engaging said member having the reciprocating movement and coinprising abutments engaged alternately by said projections o'r tensioning said 'spring to alternately move said switch member in 5 Anative .positions of said switch member.

A18. A switch coinprising'a base, a switch frame, a switch movement supported by saidframe having; a movable switch element, `means to move said switch element 'from one by snap action, said means comprising an operating element having alternative ops erating positions, and a lineally reciprocatory control element connected with said of its alternative position to the other thereofy operating element, vand means including a resilient member for moving said operating element Vto the alternative operating position after each actuation oi said switch, said f resilient member connecting saiolV operating element and said switch element. Y

YIn witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of February, A. D.,

vVICTOR R. DESPARD. Witnesses: Y

HAZEL A. JONES, MAX W. ZABEL. 

